Man targets computer box in car theft

A man was caught on camera breaking into a parked car and stealing its computer box, according to a "24 Oras" report by Emil Sumangil.

In a CCTV footage, the man could be seen using a metal rod to forcibly open the car.  The thievery took only a few minutes, with the suspect hurriedly walking away with a black box.

When morning came, victim Aaron Enecuela discovered his car with broken windows and a missing computer box, which was used to power the car.

“Nagulat po kami kasi ang ninanakaw karamihan is gamit sa loob ng sasakyan. Nakakadismaya. Hassle din, ito gamit ko sa work eh,” Enecuela said.

(We were shocked because what’s often stolen are the items inside the car. The incident brought a lot of hassle, this car is what I use for work)

Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group Task Force Limbas said computer boxes have now become a regular target for car burglars as they are in demand.  The boxes can be sold between P20,000 and P100,000 depending on the car model.

“Malaki ang halaga pag bibilhin sa regular market, so ang iba natin kababayan, nag re-resort duon sa clandestine o black market. Ibinebenta na po yan online, kaya nahihirapan tayo na i-trace, kung saan ang source," PNP-HPG Task Force Limbas chief Police Colonel Joel Casupanan.

"Yung computer box is serialized din po yan, ganun pa man, marami tayong kababayan, electronically magagaling, namamanipulate nila yung mga ganyan parts ng sasakyan,” he added.

(The computer box is pricey on the regular market, thus, some resort to clandestine or black market. It is sold online, too, that's why we find it hard to trace its source. The computer box is serialized as well, even then, a lot of our citizens are electronically talented and can manipulate these car parts)

The suspect remains at large.  —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News